Bimini Help Needed

[STeveZ]

Below is a pic of the bimini top on my 28 Bertram. Its a pretty stout arrangement. Five struts on each side are connected to the bridge. It is pretty much a "fixed" system that was a bear to get into place and tighten last month.<br /><br />Unfortunately I am planning to move my boat to a marina with a limited clearance brige and need to figure out how to take the bimini down and up with a minimal effort. I'm thinking the connections circled in red need to connect straps rather than struts and then the bimini would pivot on the yellow-circled connection. Simple enough but I wonder how much rigidity I would be giving up? Or if there's a better approach I'm not seeing?<br /><br />Your suggestions would be welcome/appreciated.<br /><br />Also thinking of going with a smaller folding antenna conveniently attached to the side of the bridge. Do you suppose a 12" square of starboard would make an adequate backing? Inside only? Or inside and out?<br /><br />

 

[dmarkvid2]

Re: Bimini Help Needed

Looking at the steering wheel on the fly bridge and the height of your bimini, is it my imagination or can you drop the bimini 2 or 3 ft.? As far as the struts circled in red, mabey you can have some "spring loaded" 2 piece struts made,( Like a piston) where all you have to do is push up on the struts to remove them from they're brackets to lower the top, and then, put the top back up, and again push up the spring loaded struts, and lower them into the brackets. Its just a thought.

 

[craze1cars]

Re: Bimini Help Needed

Eliminate your front and rear rigid support struts, and replace them with nylon straps/adjustable buckles? Maybe not ideal as you will definitely give up some strength compared to what you have, and you will need to take it down during high winds, but it takes all of 20 seconds to fold down one of those....they do tolerate 35 to 40 mph winds however...many of us with smaller runabouts leave them up during high speed runs with no issues.<br /><br />Look at the typical bimini setup on smaller runabouts for a visual. Here's a link with a pic you can click on to give you an idea. <br /> http://www.iboats.com/mall/?view_id...ommend&**********=186459340&*******=330887919 <br />Just unhook 2 of the 4 straps and it folds right down in seconds.